When Family Became a Place I Couldn’t Return To novel Chapter 41

As evening settled over the city, Brody sat in the revolving restaurant at the very top of Westhaven, waiting for his client. The floor-to-ceiling windows reflected his sharp, stoic profile, but tonight there was something softer in his expression, a trace of worry that rarely showed.

He tapped his thumb against his phone, the screen lighting up every now and then, but he never actually checked it. Alan stood by his side, clearly uneasy.

“Sir, should I call and check if they’re on their way?” Alan asked, glancing nervously at the empty seats.

The client they were waiting for was the one who insisted on working only with Nelly. Losing the deal would definitely hurt, but Garland Inc. could survive it. Alan knew Brody well enough to know he never let anyone push him around, no matter how important the project. If someone tried to use Nelly as leverage, Brody usually pushed back, just to make sure no one got their way too easily.

But tonight, Brody was here in person, going out of his way. Alan couldn’t help but wonder why.

“If they don’t show up tonight, we’ll wait again tomorrow,” Brody said quietly.

“Sir, they’ve been pretty clear about what they want. Maybe we should…” Alan hesitated, thinking maybe they should just ask Nelly for help.

Brody picked up his wine glass and took a slow sip, and Alan fell silent.

Just then, a lady in her fifties approached, two assistants following close behind. She wore a bold red blazer over a fitted, emerald green velvet dress. Her style was confident and sharp, her figure full and commanding, and she radiated a kind of effortless glamour.

“Hello, you must be Mr. Garland. You look even younger and more handsome in person,” she said, reaching out her hand. “I’m Gina.”

“Gina.” Brody shook her hand politely.

Gina sat down and got straight to business. “Thank you for waiting. But as I’ve said before, I can’t move forward on this collaboration unless Ms. Stewart is involved. Otherwise, I’ll need compensation for our losses and we’ll have to end our future partnership as well.”

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